Fresh Energyhttp://fresh-energy.org
Practical policy. Brighter future.Mon, 30 Mar 2015 15:49:19 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8Progress on a bipartisan Clean Energy Jobs packagehttp://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/progress-on-a-bipartisan-clean-energy-jobs-package/
http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/progress-on-a-bipartisan-clean-energy-jobs-package/#commentsThu, 26 Mar 2015 05:19:41 +0000http://fresh-energy.org/?p=14754As the legislature moves toward their final committee deadlines and toward the traditional Easter/Passover break, progress continues to be made on a Clean Energy Jobs package that moves Minnesota forward. There are bipartisan authors for an improved Renewable Energy Standard and Energy Efficiency Resource Standard and both were recently included in the omnibus energy bill in the Senate.

Lawmakers have been hearing directly from their constituents about what clean and efficient energy means for their communities, but they’ve also begun seeing more and more coverage on these issues in the media. Pieces ranging from the water saved by using clean energy to the economic benefits of moving our investments into more homegrown energy sources have been popping up everywhere from Winona in southern Minnesota to Walker, up north.

There’s still plenty of time left before the end of the legislative session, but it’s clear that momentum is building toward a clean energy jobs package that can spur economic development and preserve our environment for decades to come.

]]>http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/progress-on-a-bipartisan-clean-energy-jobs-package/feed/0Public Utilities Commission ensures community solar program will continuehttp://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/public-utilities-commission-ensures-community-solar-program-will-continue/
http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/public-utilities-commission-ensures-community-solar-program-will-continue/#commentsThu, 26 Mar 2015 05:19:24 +0000http://fresh-energy.org/?p=14759Minnesota is out in front, leading the way with one of the most comprehensive community solar programs in the country and, as with any brand new development, Xcel Energy’s community solar program has gone through some growing pains.

Technical issues like where and how to site each garden as well as financial issues like signing up all of the owners in each garden take time, especially because it’s the first time anyone in Minnesota is doing this kind of community-based solar development.

Thankfully, the Public Utilities Commission has given yet another clear message to the families, businesses, and community organizations that are working together to get a community solar garden up and running. Recent public comments have been sent to Xcel letting them know that, even though there are some slight growing pains, the community solar program should move forward as anticipated.

This clear market signal will help ensure that communities can continue to work together to bring homegrown energy to fruition right here in Minnesota.

]]>http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/public-utilities-commission-ensures-community-solar-program-will-continue/feed/0Why energy policy mattershttp://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/why-energy-policy-matters/
http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/why-energy-policy-matters/#commentsWed, 25 Mar 2015 20:02:54 +0000http://fresh-energy.org/?p=14724Smart energy policy has the power to transform everything from the way we light and heat our homes to the way we get from point A to point B.

Energy drives every aspect of our economy. It powers our industries, our homes, our vehicles, and our lives. Historically, the majority of our energy has come large, centralized power plans that create power using fossil fuels. But those plants then must transport energy hundreds of miles to their eventual destination. As the energy economy moves away from large, dirty power plants and toward clean homegrown energy, significant changes will be needed in terms of infrastructure and regulation. Those kinds of changes require clear market signals—and that’s where policy comes in.

Energy policy determines the rules that govern our energy system. It has a huge impact on your life, shaping everything from how much you pay for electricity to where wind farms are located to whether coal plants are retired. Smart, market-driven policy generates jobs and creates economic opportunity.

POLICY ARENAS

Important energy policy decisions are made in many different arenas, including state legislatures, regulatory groups, and board rooms across the country.

State Legislature: Each state’s elected officials are regularly faced with energy policy decisions. This might include a bill that would require utilities to increase the amount of renewable energy in their electricity mix (known as a renewable energy standard) or a policy that makes it easier for consumers to purchase an electric car or put solar panels on their roofs.

Public Utilities Commission (PUC): A state’s public utilities commission is the governing body that regulates rates and services of a public utility. For example, Minnesota’s PUC is made up of five commissioners, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, who serve six-year, staggered terms. Their job is to make sure utilities’ business decisions are prudent, protect the public interest, and provide energy that’s affordable, reliable, and increasingly clean and efficient.

Business Leaders: Owners and managers regularly make internal policy decisions that have a big impact on their company’s energy use or the availability of products that consumers can buy in their stores. For example, when IKEA makes a commitment to install more than 500,000 solar panels on its stores worldwide or decides to stop selling incandescent light bulbs, these policies can have powerful and widespread effects across the economy.

RENEWABLE ENERGY BOOM

Energy policy doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it can make a huge difference. Case in point: a long-term commitment to energy policy in the Midwest is already transforming the region’s energy system, economy, and environment as more and more states focus on wind as an energy source.

The first Midwestern wind farm was built in Minnesota in 1994. Since then, wind has expanded to 21,390 megawatts in the 12 Midwestern states stretching from North Dakota and Kansas in the west to Ohio and Michigan in the east. This capacity—enough to power 17 million homes—constitutes an investment of more than $30 billion in the area’s economy. In fact, wind now supplies as much as 25 percent of the power demand in Iowa and South Dakota, and more than 15 percent of power in Minnesota.

This number keeps growing. Berkshire Hathaway Energy, owned in part by billionaire Warren Buffett, recently announced plans to add 1,000 megawatts of new wind power in Iowa, raising the share of wind energy in the company’s portfolio to 39 percent. This $1.9 billion outlay “will be the largest economic development investment in the history of the state,” according to Governor Terry Branstad.

EFFECTIVE POLICY PAVES THE WAY

Strong energy policy has directly triggered and sustained the growth of wind in the Midwest—often called the “Saudi Arabia of wind.” Every state in the region now has a renewable electricity standard, which requires or encourages utility companies to produce a portion of their electricity from solar, wind, and other renewable resources.

Standards have a big impact on business. And business leaders recognize their effectiveness and value the impact they can have on the renewable energy market. In July 2014, David Mortenson of Minnesota’s Mortenson Construction said “It’s…important that states like Minnesota are leaders in setting a renewable energy standard and let the market figure out how to do it.”

By tapping into its enormous renewable energy potential and manufacturing know-how and establishing strong, market-driven policy, the Midwest is poised to become a world leader in renewable energy. With continued smart, stable policies the Midwest can lead the United States—and set a standard for other countries—in building huge clean energy markets.

]]>http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/why-energy-policy-matters/feed/0The Midwest: A leader in clean energyhttp://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/the-midwest-a-leader-in-clean-energy-2/
http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/the-midwest-a-leader-in-clean-energy-2/#commentsWed, 25 Mar 2015 20:02:43 +0000http://fresh-energy.org/?p=14727The number of clean energy jobs—as well as revenue to local cities and counties—has surged in just 10 years, thanks largely to effective energy policies that increase renewable energy in our energy mix.

In the Midwest, policy is transforming our energy system, economy, and environment. From North Dakota to Nebraska, we’re making clear-eyed investments that drive down the long-term cost of electricity while creating jobs and reducing air pollution. One of the key drivers? A policy tool called a renewable energy standard (RES).

SETTING THE STANDARD

An RES is a law which requires or encourages utility companies to produce a portion of their electricity from solar, wind, and other renewable resources. The policy usually includes incremental targets which increase over time. For example, a state could require utilities to increase their renewable generation by five percent each year over five years, ultimately resulting in 25 percent renewable power overall. Every state in the Midwest region now has an RES in place; all but one was adopted through bipartisan legislation; Missouri’s RES was approved by voters on the ballot.

According to the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition—a bipartisan group of 23 governors working to promote wind power—the RES is “a market based policy, using competition to drive down technology prices and move technologies to maturity—all at the lowest cost. It motivates action by the private sector, by creating a market opportunity for project developers to pursue. The government’s role is to set the standard that will be met by utilities and project developers.”

More than 35 U.S. states have used a mandatory or voluntary RES to achieve a variety of policy goals.

increase domestic U.S. energy production and develop production in states that lack fossil fuel resources

create jobs and economic development opportunities in manufacturing and deployment, especially in hard-hit rural areas

reduce air pollution and other environmental impacts

OVER THE LONG TERM

Renewable energy standards set long-term direction for energy development, giving guidance to regulators, utilities, power plant developers, investors, manufacturers, and even training programs. The policy also enables long-term planning for infrastructure. The Midwestern grid operator, known as the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, approved more than 3,500 miles in new transmission projects in 2011, specifically to enable the fulfillment of RES targets in the region. This marriage of state energy policy with regional transmission planning was a big breakthrough and became the basis for a national order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, known as Order 1000. The order establishes regional utility planning to help integrate renewable energy into the system, expand the grid, and incorporate public policy goals such as renewable energy standards.

CASE STUDY: MINNESOTA AS A LEADER

In 2007, the Minnesota Legislature and then-Governor Tim Pawlenty passed one of the strongest renewable energy standards in the nation. The bipartisan policy required Minnesota’s utilities to generate at least 25 percent of their power using renewable sources by 2025 (30 percent by 2020 for Xcel Energy), with benchmarks along the way.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, as of April 2014, Minnesota now has nearly 100 wind projects online, with more than 2,100 wind turbines (making Minnesota fifth in the nation) producing enough electricity to power more than 840,000 average Minnesota homes. Minnesota is already recognized as a national leader in the wind energy industry, and wind power now generates more than 15 percent of Minnesota’s electricity.

The economic benefits of Minnesota’s strong RES are impressive. The policy directly boosted investment in wind—to date, the wind industry has invested nearly $6 billion in the Minnesota economy. This means more jobs in areas like operations, maintenance, construction, and manufacturing. Currently, the wind industry supports more than 1,000 jobs across the state. The industry also produces millions of dollars in lease payments to local farmers and increases the tax base for local communities. For example, more than $42 million has been paid in production tax payments to Minnesota counties, cities, school districts, and townships since 2007. Using more wind also means we’re sending less of our money to other states in order to purchase coal (Minnesota has no coal of its own).

The wind industry also requires manufacturing facilities to produce products for the wind industry, everything from the blades of the turbines to the raw components like fiberglass and steel. According to the American Wind Energy Association, Minnesota now has 19 facilities that manufacture materials for the wind industry. By enacting the strong RES in 2007, Minnesota attracted capital that helped grow nation-leading businesses like Mortenson Construction, Blattner Energy, Barr Engineering, and Anderson Trucking Service. A July 2014 New York Times article gave the RES credit for creating an industry that not only builds and maintains wind turbines, but transmission lines throughout the state.

But Minnesota’s RES has produced health as well as economic benefits. Wind-powered electricity generation doesn’t emit any mercury, carbon, or air pollution. As a result, more than five million metric tons of carbon emissions are avoided annually in Minnesota—this is like taking more than 900,000 cars off our roads, helping to lower costs associated with respiratory diseases like asthma. Wind also doesn’t require the massive amounts of water that coal-fired power does. Wind projects in Minnesota save nearly two billion gallons of water per year.

NEXT STEPS

All of Minnesota’s utilities are on track to meet or exceed the RES ahead of schedule. According to data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, wind power is capable of meeting more than 24 times Minnesota’s current electricity needs. The logical next step would be to increase the RES in order to broaden and build on the success of the 2007 law. This would create even more jobs, further boost local economic development, and protect Minnesota for future generations.

Minnesota could sit back and let competitors catch up—or leverage its economic momentum for even great gains. In the last five years, costs of wind have fallen 58 percent, while costs of solar have fallen 78 percent. There’s never been a better time to invest in renewable energy and the jobs it can create.

]]>http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/how-to-build-a-wind-turbine/feed/0March 24 | What will power the Destination Medical Center?http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/march-24-what-will-power-the-destination-medical-center/
http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/march-24-what-will-power-the-destination-medical-center/#commentsWed, 18 Mar 2015 06:30:45 +0000http://fresh-energy.org/?p=14709Join Michael Noble in Rochester for a closer look at market-ready innovations and economic opportunities from clean energy and how they might play a role in the Destination Medical Center. This event is hosted by the Cascade Meadow Wetlands and Environmental Science Center.

]]>http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/march-24-what-will-power-the-destination-medical-center/feed/0March 28 | Senate District 64 Community Forumhttp://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/march-28-senate-district-64-community-forum/
http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/march-28-senate-district-64-community-forum/#commentsTue, 10 Mar 2015 21:23:31 +0000http://fresh-energy.org/?p=14736Join us for a community environmental forum, co-hosted by Fresh Energy, for constituents of Senator Dick Cohen and Representative Erin Murphy andRepresentative Dave Pinto. The forum will focus on critical environmental and conservation issues being considered by your legislators this session, and is sponsored by the organizations working together to protect what Minnesotans love.

Please join the discussion! Hear from your neighbors about the major environmental issues at the Capitol. Share your priorities for protecting Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, land, air, and great outdoors!

Clean Energy & Jobs: improving the amount of wind and other clean power in Minnesota’s energy mix to 40% by 2030, and increasing the expected energy efficiency improvements for utilities from 1.5% to 2% per year;

]]>http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/march-28-senate-district-64-community-forum/feed/0Congratulations Shawntera Hardy on being named new Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Daytonhttp://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/congratulations-shawntera-hardy-on-being-named-new-deputy-chief-of-staff-to-governor-dayton/
http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/congratulations-shawntera-hardy-on-being-named-new-deputy-chief-of-staff-to-governor-dayton/#commentsFri, 06 Mar 2015 18:51:37 +0000http://fresh-energy.org/?p=14687Fresh Energy is pleased to announce that Shawntera Hardy has been named as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

“Shawntera is a natural-born leader and is admired by all of us at Fresh Energy. Her vision for equitable development of our transportation systems, engaging all stakeholders in Minnesota’s transition to a clean energy economy, and building greater diversity among environmental organizations, inspires everyone who works with her,” said Michael Noble, executive director.

“When she asked me ‘what do you do when the Governor calls?’, I said ‘you answer the call, and accept,’” continued Noble. “Fresh Energy is proud of the service she gave to Minnesota through her work here, and thrilled for her continued service in Minnesota working for the administration.”

Quoting the Governor’s Office:

Shawntera is going to be working on a range of policy and operational issues that come along with running State Government. She will be working both within our office, with our agencies, and with outside groups on the Governor and Lt. Governor’s policy priorities. She is going to be a valuable and welcome addition to our senior team, and we’re thrilled that she’s joining us.

]]>http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/congratulations-shawntera-hardy-on-being-named-new-deputy-chief-of-staff-to-governor-dayton/feed/0April 11 | Minnesota’s Clean Power Planhttp://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/april-11-minnesotas-clean-power-plan/
http://fresh-energy.org/2015/03/april-11-minnesotas-clean-power-plan/#commentsSun, 01 Mar 2015 20:25:53 +0000http://fresh-energy.org/?p=14744Please join us for a community forum with local leaders on how Minnesota can continue on its clean energy path, cutting dangerous carbon pollution and improving human health.

Sometime in 2015, Xcel Energy will approve its first round of community solar projects in Minnesota. Community solar is a new concept for Xcel, but it’s been done around the country by other investor-owned utilities and right here in Minnesota by several rural electric cooperatives. Because it’s a new program, Xcel and regulators are still learning how best to administer these projects and consumers are still learning about how to get involved as a participant in community solar.

We haven’t even broken ground and already there is some hesitation [PDF] about how things might look when the dust settles. The truth is, every new program requires some problem solving as it gets implemented. In order to get a clearer perspective, let’s take a step back and build a community solar garden the same way we would build a community itself.

Communities rely on anchor organizations like churches, schools and local businesses to provide the jobs, goods and services that we rely on in our everyday life. These organizations serve as the foundation for our communities. In the Minnesota community solar garden, organizations in the Greater MSP community like Ecolab, St Paul Public Housing, St. Olaf College, and M.A. Mortenson have all stepped up to serve as the first community anchors. They will purchase a portion of the solar output generated by individual gardens, while leaving a majority of the energy available for other families, churches, schools, businesses and local governments to purchase as well.

A lean program

The community solar program isn’t going to be a financial windfall for anyone. Because of how new the program is, everything from the application to the engineering and planning is still a pretty significant hurdle for anyone looking to get involved in developing one. In fact, the program is so lean that it requires sophisticated organizations that can optimize every step of the process. Individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits will fill in after community anchors get them started. Without community anchors that can commit to a 25-year agreement, these projects don’t happen.

Ultimately, community solar gardens will make solar possible for you or someone like your mother. Whether she lives in a single-family home with a sunny roof, an apartment with no roof access, or a cabin on a shady, wooded lake, your mother should be able to participate in home-grown solar energy that creates jobs right here in Minnesota. And eventually she will be able to do so at a reasonable price — no more than her current electric bill.

In some places, that price point is already here. For the Xcel gardens that will be chosen over the next several years, the price point will go down as more and more families, schools, churches, businesses and organizations are able to get involved. Remember, this is the first time Minnesota is working through a program like this. In order for these projects to become your mother’s community solar garden, we need community anchors to step up and move these projects to reality.